Harry Johnston, Candidate . . . . . . front cover

PRESERVE OUR FUTURE

Commission Chairman Harry JoHnston Will Keep Cherokee Great

This is where wecan put a very compelling quote from theone and only Harry Johston.He can spin a yarn or speak his mind. Either way, more people will vote for Harry than any other candidate on the planet.

Cherokee County Commission Chairman Harry Johnston is committed to effectively managing growth, full support of public safety, finding workable solutions to transportation issues, expanding parks and recreation, and attracting more jobs, all while continuing to keep county taxes the second lowest in Georgia. “The future of our county is on the line in this election, and we cannot afford to mess it up now. I have the proven skills to preserve all the great things about our county that make it tops in Georgia. I am committed to maintaining our great quality of life,” Johnston says. Chairman Johnston is seeking re-election in the May 24 Republican primary. Early voting starts on May 2.

 MANAGING THE GROWTH

“Cherokee County has almost everything going for it. I believe it’s the best place in the world to live. People want to move here. Without careful management of our growth and development, we could destroy the quality of life that makes our county so great.” “I was an early advocate for conservative growth management and the most consistent voice for it. It takes a steady hand on the helm. I support our conservative land-use plan that steps density down from cities and major highways and leaves half the county’s land at a rural level of development. I consistently apply that plan in zoning decisions. Since conservative growth forces got control of the Board of Commissioners in 2007, we’ve reduced the annual growth rate from 5% then to 2% now. But it takes ongoing vigilance.”

 TRANSPORTATION

“By bringing the growth rate down and working effectively with the Georgia Department of Transportation, we are catching up on our roads. GDOT is now spending almost $100 million per year in Cherokee on state road improvements, including Georgia Highway 20 East. Highway 20 West is in design for expansion to four lanes. “Through a county and GDOT partnership, Bells Ferry Road northward to Victoria Drive will be expanded and the dangerous Little River Bridge replaced. GDOT will expand the I-575 interchanges at Towne Lake Parkway and Ridgewalk Parkway, as well as the Highway 92 intersection at Trickum Road.”

“There are always needs on county-maintained roads. We are keeping up and unlike some neighboring counties, we do it with no borrowing and no new taxes. Cherokee County spends about $30 million per year on county roads, including half of all SPLOST funds. The county set aside $7 million and secured funding from GDOT and ARC to make interim improvements to Highway 140 in the next five years to help alleviate traffic congestion while we work with GDOT to accelerate its widening.”

“Our Cherokee County Office of Economic Development is among the best in Georgia. In the last five years, we have created 4,500 new jobs and had almost $900 million in capital investment in new businesses. I am committed to continuing to work to attract good jobs to Cherokee. Cherokee Office of Economic Development is recognized as among the best in Georgia. The Board of Commissioners funds its core operations and provides seed money for economic development projects. I attend all meetings of the Development Authority of Cherokee County. ”

 TRANSPARENT, OPEN GOVERNMENT “I am 100 percent dedicated to open government and always available to the residents of this county. I do my best to answer every phone call and email and provide residents the answers they need to their concerns and issues. I am also always available to meet with residents.”

“In my first term as chairman, we created a communications director position to make information quickly available on important issues. I hold town hall meetings and attend those of other elected officials. I write a candid email report monthly to those who want to receive it on issues we as a commission are facing and what is coming up that might affect them. Anyone who would like to receive it can contact me at hjohnston@comcast.net.”

“The future of our county is on the line in this election, and we cannot afford to mess it up now.

I have the proven skills to preserve all the great things about our county that make it tops in Georgia. I am committed to maintaining our great quality of life. “

ABOUT HARRY

Johnston is married to his wife of 46 years, Rebecca Johnston. They have two grown children, one grandson, and two granddaughters. He is a life-long Republican and has been active in the local Republican Party for 26 years. Harry holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Finance and Accounting from Georgia State University and is a CPA.